The FIFA Women`s World Cup is scheduled to grow significantly for its 2031 edition, increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48. This move mirrors the expansion of the men`s World Cup, which will also feature 48 nations starting in 2026 (hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico). The women`s tournament already saw recent growth, expanding from 24 to 32 teams for the 2023 event held in Australia and New Zealand.
In a statement, FIFA announced the unanimous decision by the FIFA Council to expand the tournament, effective from the 2031 edition. This decision follows consultations with confederations and stakeholders and acknowledges the “remarkable recent strides made by women`s football across the world.” FIFA stated the virtual meeting`s outcome will “significantly broaden representation, offering more nations and players access to elite competition and accelerating investment in women`s football worldwide.”
The expanded 48-team format will utilize 12 groups, resulting in a total of 104 matches, a substantial increase from the current 64. This expansion will also extend the duration of the tournament by approximately one week. Consequently, the hosting requirements for the 2031 and 2035 editions of the event have been adjusted.
The growth and improved standard of the women`s game necessitated this expansion, building on the previous increase from 24 to 32 teams. While discussions about potentially expanding the men`s World Cup beyond 48 teams have occurred, such a move is seen as potentially contentious due to increasing demands on players globally.
Before the 48-team era, the 2027 tournament in Brazil (June 24 – July 25) will feature 32 teams, where Spain will aim to defend their title. The United States Women`s National Team (USWNT), now under coach Emma Hayes, will seek a stronger performance after their Round of 16 exit via a penalty shootout loss to Sweden in the 2023 World Cup. Although a larger field in 2031 might theoretically make winning the overall tournament more challenging, for top teams like the USWNT, group stage progression could become simpler, potentially leading to a more favorable route in the knockout rounds.
FIFA Revises Disciplinary Code on Racism
In addition to the expansion news, the FIFA Council announced revisions to its disciplinary code specifically addressing racism. These updates introduce new measures designed to combat discriminatory behavior both on and off the field. Enhanced sanctions for racist incidents include higher fines and the potential for matches to be forfeited. Furthermore, the existing three-step protocol for stopping matches due to anti-LGBTQ+ chants has been modified to also cover incidents of racism. FIFA requires member associations to adopt these revised codes and reserves the right to appeal cases involving racist abuse to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented that “The revised Disciplinary Code represents a step change in FIFA`s objective to enhance its regulatory framework to prosecute and sanction discrimination and racist abuse in cooperation with our 211 FIFA Member Associations.”
Dominic Ashworth